Abstract
Simple SummaryAn increasing number of cancer cases has been reported throughout the years. Most cancers are linked to unhealthy lifestyles and genetic inheritance. Nevertheless, unknown to many, infection from microorganisms (bacteria, viruses, fungi) and sometimes, parasites, can also lead to cancer development. For these cancers, the infection may inflict mechanical injury on host cells, whilst gene products or protein secretion from the microorganism further alters host cell activity, leading to abnormal cell development and growth. Due to the cancer-causing characteristic of these microorganisms, they have been classified as definite biological agents that cause cancer. This review describes the cancer development process caused by some of these microorganisms and highlights strategies to prevent or treat the associated cancers.Cancer is a global health problem associated with genetics and unhealthy lifestyles. Increasingly, pathogenic infections have also been identified as contributors to human cancer initiation and progression. Most pathogens (bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites) associated with human cancers are categorized as Group I human carcinogens by the International Agency for Research on Cancer, IARC. These pathogens cause carcinogenesis via three known mechanisms: persistent infection that cause inflammation and DNA damage, initiation of oncogene expression, and immunosuppression activity of the host. In this review, we discuss the carcinogenesis mechanism of ten pathogens, their implications, and some future considerations for better management of the disease. The pathogens and cancers described are Helicobacter pylori (gastric cancer), Epstein-Barr virus (gastric cancer and lymphoma), Hepatitis B and C viruses (liver cancer), Aspergillus spp. (liver cancer), Opisthorchis viverrine (bile duct cancer), Clonorchis sinensis (bile duct cancer), Fusobacterium nucleatum (colorectal cancer), Schistosoma haematobium (bladder cancer); Human Papillomavirus (cervical cancer), and Kaposi’s Sarcoma Herpes Virus (Kaposi’s sarcoma).
Highlights
Cancer is a disease in which cells divide in an uncontrolled manner and have the ability to invade nearby tissues
Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV) may enter pharyngeal lymphoid tissues, where the virus will switch to its latent phase [187] as episomes, and lifelong infections occur in the presence of latent membrane proteins (LMP) expression [11,15]
Pap smear screening is still important even after Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination and is recommended to be carried out every 3 or 5 years, according to risk factors of the population [205]
Summary
Cancer is a disease in which cells divide in an uncontrolled manner and have the ability to invade nearby tissues. The disease is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality. Infections caused by pathogenic microorganisms and parasites have been linked to cancer [5,6,7,8,9]. Microorganisms have been primarily studied for their roles in causing infection. Beginning in the 1900s with a report by Askanazy, the link. Microorganisms have been primarily studied for their roles in causing infe2cotfio2n2. Since the early 20th century, the association of some infectious agents with cancer has been reported [10]. Beginning in the 1900s with a report by Askanazy, the link bbeettwweeeennOOppisistthhoorrcchhisisfefelilnineeuussininffeeccttiioonnaannddlilviveerrccaanncceerr, ,ininaadddditiitoionntotoththeeddisicsocovveeryryoof f bblaladdddeerrccaanncceerr-c-caauussininggBBilihlhaarrzziaiaininffeeccttioionnss((sscchhisisttoossoommiaiassisis)),,hhaavveebbeeeennhhiigghhlliigghhtteedd[[1111]].
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
